Right-click on the base game entry in the Title Manager list. From the context menu, select "Convert to compressed Wii U archive (.wua)" . This option is only available for Loadiine-format games; encrypted dumps will not have this option.

Select your desired output folder as the destination for your new .wua file. It is highly recommended that you create a dedicated folder for your Cemu ROMs .

The Wii U console occupies a unique space in gaming history. While its retail lifespan was cut short, its library contains some of the most innovative first-party Nintendo titles ever created. Today, preservationists and emulation enthusiasts rely on specific file formats to keep these games alive.

WUA ROMs are the Wii U’s update files—official archives used to patch games and the system. They’re essential for running newer versions of software, applying fixes, and enabling some homebrew workflows that rely on specific update data.

Because the update and DLC are baked into the file, you can move a WUA file to a different computer, load it into Cemu, and play instantly with all content intact.

: Uses compression to reduce the overall footprint of your game library.

Some formats require specific keys.txt configurations to run, though WUA files compiled from decrypted dumps generally bypass this headache.

The format is the modern standard for Wii U emulation, designed to combine a base game, its updates, and all DLC into a single, compressed file. Introduced by the developers of the Cemu emulator , this format eliminates the need for complex folder structures and manual installation of extra content into a virtual NAND. Why Use .wua ROMs?

A WUA file packages the base game, all official updates, and all downloadable content (DLC) into one single file.

I’ve been seeing a lot of questions lately about when setting up Wii U emulation in Cemu, and there seems to be some confusion about how they differ from the standard formats like .WUX, .WUD, or Loadiine folders.

Instead of managing dozens of loose folders and files for a single game, your emulation directory contains just one tidy file per title. Why WUA is Better Than Older Formats

WUA isn't just a new file extension; it represents a fundamental shift in how Wii U games are packaged for emulation. Here's why it stands out: